U.S. patent application number 14/303912 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-25 for set top box browser control via a wireless handset.
The applicant listed for this patent is CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC. Invention is credited to Douglas Ceballos, Jamie Howarter, Kelsyn Rooks.
Application Number | 20140289786 14/303912 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43428460 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140289786 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Howarter; Jamie ; et
al. |
September 25, 2014 |
Set Top Box Browser Control Via a Wireless Handset
Abstract
A system and method for providing Internet access via a set top
box may include operating, on the set top box, a browser configured
to display data associated with a website. A command may be
received from a wireless communications device via a communications
network. The command may include a network address of the website.
In response to receiving the command, the website data may be
displayed on a television to which the set top box is in
communication.
Inventors: |
Howarter; Jamie; (Overland
Park, KS) ; Rooks; Kelsyn; (Overland Park, KS)
; Ceballos; Douglas; (Olathe, KS) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC |
Denver |
CO |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
43428460 |
Appl. No.: |
14/303912 |
Filed: |
June 13, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12499484 |
Jul 8, 2009 |
8789130 |
|
|
14303912 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
725/110 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/4782 20130101;
H04N 21/4126 20130101; H04N 21/41265 20200801; H04N 21/4227
20130101; H04N 21/4122 20130101; H04N 21/443 20130101; H04N 21/4222
20130101; H04N 21/42204 20130101; H04N 21/6175 20130101; H04N
21/42209 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/110 |
International
Class: |
H04N 21/422 20060101
H04N021/422; H04N 21/61 20060101 H04N021/61 |
Claims
1. A method, comprising: providing, with a set top box, an
application programming interface (API) to enable a wireless device
to control set-top box functionality; receiving, with the API, one
or more set top box control commands from the wireless device; and
controlling the set top box to change a channel in response to
receiving the one or more set top box control commands; and
enabling a user to control, with the wireless device and
substantially in real time, a cursor on a television with which the
set-top box is in communication.
2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising controlling
the set top box to control playback of a recorded video in response
to receiving the one or more set top box control commands.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein receiving the one or
more control commands comprises receiving the one or more control
commands via an Internet protocol (IP) communication.
4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising providing a
proxy server that, in response to receiving a request from the
wireless handset, operates as an interface to the set top box to
communicate the command from the wireless handset to the set top
box.
5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising:
determining, by the proxy server, that the wireless handset is
authorized to communicate with the set top box; and establishing a
communications link between the wireless handset and the set top
box in response to determining that the wireless communications
device is authorized to communicate with the set top box.
6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising providing an
application to download to the wireless communications device to
enable a user to communicate the one or more control commands to
the set top box.
7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: operating,
on the set top box, a browser configured to display data associated
with a website, wherein the one or more control commands comprise a
control command including a network address of the website; and in
response to receiving the command, displaying the website data on
the television.
8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising
simultaneously displaying the website data on the television and
the wireless communications device.
9. The method according to claim 7, wherein displaying the website
data on the television includes displaying the website data in a
window on the television.
10. The method according to claim 7, wherein displaying the website
data on the television includes displaying tabs and frames as
defined by the website data.
11. A set top box, comprising: a memory; an input/output (I/O) unit
in communication with a communications network; a processing unit
in communication with said memory and I/O unit, said processing
unit configured to: provide an application programming interface
(API) to enable a wireless device to control set-top box
functionality; receive, with the API, one or more set top box
control commands from the wireless device; and control the set top
box to change a channel in response to receiving the one or more
set top box control commands; and enable a user to control, with
the wireless device and substantially in real time, a cursor on a
television with which the set-top box is in communication. operate
a browser configured to display data associated with a website;
receive a command from a wireless communications device via a
communications network, the command including a network address of
the website; and in response to receiving the command, display the
website data on a television to which the set top box is in
communication.
12. The system according to claim 11, further wherein the
processing unit is further configured to control the set top box to
control playback of a recorded video in response to receiving the
one or more set top box control commands.
13. The system according to claim 11, wherein receiving the one or
more control commands comprises receiving the one or more control
commands via an Internet protocol (IP) communication.
14. The system according to claim 11, further comprising a proxy
server that, in response to receiving a request from the wireless
handset, operates as an interface to the set top box to communicate
the command from the wireless handset to the set top box.
15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the proxy server:
determines that the wireless handset is authorized to communicate
with the set top box; and establishes a communications link between
the wireless handset and the set top box in response to determining
that the wireless communications device is authorized to
communicate with the set top box.
16. The system according to claim 11, further comprising an
application to download to the wireless communications device to
enable a user to communicate the one or more control commands to
the set top box.
17. The system according to claim 11, wherein the processing unit
is further configured to: operate, on the set top box, a browser
configured to display data associated with a website, wherein the
one or more control commands comprise a control command including a
network address of the website; and in response to receiving the
command, display the website data on the television.
18. The system according to claim 17, wherein the processing unit
is further configured to display the website data on the television
simultaneous with a display on the wireless communications
device.
19. The system according to claim 17, wherein displaying the
website data on the television includes displaying the website data
in a window on the television.
20. The system according to claim 17, wherein displaying the
website data on the television includes displaying tabs and frames
as defined by the website data.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] As media systems have become pervasive throughout society,
media systems have become more and more integrated. Wireless
communications devices, such as mobile telephones, have also
increased in functionality. For example, mobile telephones are now
capable of interfacing with websites and downloading television
programs, movies, and other video media. Set top boxes are also
configured to enable users to access programming guides via
wireless communications devices and set up recording schedules for
the set top box to record television programming. Middleware has
also provided set top boxes with increased functionality. Despite
media systems becoming more integrated in recent years, the level
of integration is still quite limited.
SUMMARY
[0002] To overcome the limited integration of media systems, the
principles of the present invention provide for a wireless
communications device to communicate with a set top box configured
with a browser and to respond to commands from the wireless
communications device, thereby enabling a user of the wireless
communications device to display content from the Internet on a
television to which the set top box is in communication. The user
may control operation of the browser operating on the set top box
to allow the user to use the wireless communications device as a
user interface while accessing the Internet via the set-top box,
and view website content on the television.
[0003] One embodiment of a method for providing Internet access via
a set top box may include operating, on the set top box, a browser
configured to display data associated with a website. A command may
be received from a wireless communications device via a
communications network. The command may include a network address
of the website. In response to receiving the command, the website
data may be displayed on a television to which the set top box is
in communication.
[0004] One embodiment of a system for providing Internet access
while being remotely controlled by a wireless communications device
may include, in a set top box, a memory, an input/output (I/O) unit
in communication with a communications network, and a processing
unit in communication with said memory and I/O unit. The processing
unit may be configured to (i) operate a browser configured to
display data associated with a website, (ii) receive a command from
a wireless communications device via a communications network,
where the command includes a network address of the website, and
(iii) in response to receiving the command, display the website
data on a television to which the set top box is in
communication.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0005] Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are
described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing
figures, which are incorporated by reference herein and
wherein:
[0006] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an illustrative network
environment that enables a user of a wireless communications device
to communicate with a set top box executing a browser;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an illustrative set top box
configured to execute a browser that may be controlled by a
wireless communications device remotely located therefrom;
[0008] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of illustrative software modules
configured to enable a user to control a browser being executed by
the set top box of FIG. 2;
[0009] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an illustrative proxy server
configured to coordinate communications by a wireless
communications device with the set top box of FIG. 2;
[0010] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of illustrative software modules
executable by the proxy server of FIG. 4 to coordinate
communications between a wireless communications device and set top
box;
[0011] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an illustrative wireless
communications device configured to provide control of a browser
being executed by the set top box of FIG. 2 remotely;
[0012] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of illustrative software
executable by the wireless communications device of FIG. 6 to
enable a user to control a browser being executed by the set top
box of FIG. 2;
[0013] FIG. 8A is a screen shot of an illustrative website
displayed on a wireless communications device;
[0014] FIG. 8B is a screen shot of the website displayed on the
wireless communications device of FIG. 8A being displayed on a
television to which a set top box is in communication; and
[0015] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of an illustrative process for
enabling a wireless communications device to interact with a
browser being executed on a set top box.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] With regard to FIG. 1, a network environment 100 is shown to
include a user 102 utilizing a wireless communications device 104.
The wireless communications device 104 may be a mobile telephone,
smart phone, personal communications device, or any other wireless
communications device, as understood in the art. In an alternative
embodiment, the wireless communications device 104 may be a
telephone configured to communicate voice over internee protocol
(VoIP) signals and/or be WiFi enabled. The wireless communications
device 104 may be configured to communicate with a set top box 106
configured to execute a browser 108. The browser 108 may be
executed by the set top box 106 to display data formatted using a
mark up language, such as hyper-text mark up language (HTML), as
understood in the art.
[0017] The set top box 106 may be in communication with a
television 110, which may be an electronic display that does not
include a tuner or does include a tuner for displaying traditional
cable or satellite television, as understood in the art. As shown
on the television 110, a window 112 is capable of displaying data
from a website. The window 112 may display one or more frames
114a-114n (collectively 114) and tabs 116a-116n (collectively 116),
as understood in the art. By utilizing the browser 108 being
executed by the set top box 106 to display website data, the user
102 is able to view the website data in ways that are either not
possible or not desirable to view on the wireless communications
device 104.
[0018] A proxy server 118 may be configured to operate as a
"go-between" for requests from the wireless communications device
104 and the set top box 106. The proxy server 118 may utilize a set
top box database 119 that stores addresses of each set top box that
a communications service provider is servicing and addresses of
wireless communications devices. In response to receiving a request
or command from a wireless communications device, the proxy server
118 may route the command or request to the appropriate set top box
that the wireless communications device is associated.
[0019] A web portal server 120 may be configured to operate a web
portal that enables the user 102 of the wireless communications
device 104 to access and control certain aspects of the set top box
106, including configuring the browser 108, setting up passwords,
establishing parental control, setting quality of service, managing
account information, or performing any other aspect of
communicating with the set top box 106 to use or control the
browser 108. A middleware server 122 may be utilized to assist the
set top box 106 with various functionality, including managing
video downloads, accessing a head-end server (not shown), or,
optionally, assisting the set top box 106 with accessing data on
the Internet or other network. It should be understood that the
term Internet is used generically to mean any communications
network on which websites or other network addresses are used for a
user to access via a browser or other graphical user interface
environment. Each of the proxy server 118, web portal server 120,
and middleware server 122 may communicate with the set top box 106
via one or more communications networks 123. The wireless
communications device 104 may communicate with the proxy server 118
and web portal server 120 via the communications network(s) 123.
The network(s) 123 may include the Internet, mobile communications
network, or any other communications network as understood in the
art.
[0020] In operation, the wireless communications device 104 may
communicate an authentication request 124 that is communicated to
the proxy server 118 via the network(s) 123. The authentication
request 124 may include a request for the wireless communications
network to access the set top box 106. The proxy server 118, in
response to receiving the authentication request 124, may look up
or perform a query on the set top box database 119 to determine
which set top box from among the set top boxes that the
communication service provider is servicing is associated with the
wireless communications device 104. In one embodiment, the
authentication request 124 may communicate a network address, such
as telephone number, of the wireless communications device and/or
an address, such as an IP address, at which the set top box 106 is
assigned. The proxy server 118 may determine that the wireless
communications device 104 is authorized to access the set top box
106 and respond to the wireless communications device 104 and/or
set top box 106 to initiate or set up a communications link between
the wireless communications device 104 and set top box 106. The
communications link may be formed either directly via the network
123 or indirectly via the proxy server 118, web portal server 120,
or any other server operating on the communications network(s)
123.
[0021] Once a communications link is established between the
wireless communications device 104 and set top box 106, the
wireless communications device 104 may be utilized by the user 102
and communicate a command 126 to the set top box 106 and be used to
control the browser 108. In one embodiment, the command 126
includes a network address for the browser to access website data
located at the network address. The network address may be a
uniform resource locator (URL) that may be used to look-up a
network address, as understood in the art. The command 126 may also
be a command that causes a curser to be moved on a graphical user
interface, such as a website browser interface, generated by the
browser 108 being executed on the set top box 106. Each of the
authentication requests 124 and command 126 may be communicated via
the communications network(s) 123 using data packets 128, as
understood in the art. Although shown separated on different sides
of the network(s) 123, it is anticipated that the user 102 will be
using his or her wireless communications device 104 as a user
interface to view websites on the television 110, and, therefore,
the user 102 is likely to be in the same room as the television
110. Although contemplated that the wireless communications device
104 will be used to communicate via a wireless communications
network, an alternative embodiment of the wireless communications
device 104 may include a transmitter, such as an RF or infrared
transmitter, that may directly communicate with the set top box 106
or with the set top box 106 via a receiver external from the set
top box (not shown). The set top box 106 may send a request (REQ)
130 to the proxy server 118, web portal server 120, or middleware
server 122, which, in response, may communicate data 132 to the set
top box 106 for controlling or being displayed by the browser 108
being executed by the set top box 106.
[0022] With regard to FIG. 2, a block diagram of the set top box
106 is shown to include a processing unit 202 that executes
software 204. The processing unit 202 may be in communication with
a memory 206, input/output (I/O) unit 208, and storage unit 210.
The storage unit 210 may include one or more data repositories
212a-212n (collectively 212). The software 204 may be configured to
perform conventional set top box functionality, such as selecting
channels, downloading videos, or performing digital video recorder
functionality. In addition, the software 204 may be configured to
operate as a browser that may be utilized to access website data on
the Internet or other communications network. In one embodiment,
the website browser functionality may be the same or modified as a
conventional browser, but receive commands from a wireless
communications device, such as a mobile telephone. The data
repositories 212 may be configured to store videos, such as
televisions shows or movies, and website data generated by the
browser functionality of the software 204. The I/O unit 208 may be
configured to communicate via both a television network and
Internet, and further be configured to communicate with respective
communications protocols for handling conventional video
communications and Internet communications.
[0023] With regard to FIG. 3, the software 204 may be formed of
software modules for performing the functionality to operate the
set top box 106, including the browser functionality. The software
204 may include a source module 302 that selects which source of
communications to be received by the set top box 106 (FIG. 2). For
example, the source module 302 may select to receive video from a
video distribution stream or data from the Internet. A
cable/satellite tuner module 304 may be configured to receive cable
or satellite input into the set top box.
[0024] An internet browser module 306 may be configured to enable a
user to access the Internet by communicating to the set top box via
in a wireless communications device remotely located from the set
top box. A command interpreter module 308 may be configured to
interpret commands communicated from the wireless communications
device. The commands may include commands to access a network
address, such as a website, or position a curser or other graphical
user element for selecting or manipulating data being displayed by
the Internet browser module 306. A browser-in-picture module 310
may be configured to display a browser within a picture frame or
other portion of a television screen in the same or similar manner
as picture-in-picture function, as understood in the art.
Alternatively, the browser-in-picture module 310 may also be
configured to display an Internet browser over the entire image
area of the television as opposed to within a selected region with
a background image of video. A parental control/set up module 312
may be configured to enable a user to set-up the browser, establish
parental controls (e.g., limit content that can be accessed on the
Internet from particular telephones, such as a child's telephone),
and other set up functionality.
[0025] A network device remote control module 314 may be configured
as an application programming interface (API) to enable a wireless
device to control conventional set top box functions. In one
embodiment, an IP based API may be configured to receive set top
box control commands from a defined HTML interface from a network
device, such as a mobile telephone. The API on the set top box may
be used to control set top box parameters, change channels, program
a digital video recorder (DVR) at the set top box, control recorded
video playback, etc. The API on the set top box may also allow text
based data entry for set top box functions to be entered on the
wireless communications device for submission to the set top box
via an IP interface (e.g., search functionality to enable a user to
search for show title or artist information).
[0026] With regard to FIG. 4, a block diagram of the proxy server
118 is shown to include a processing unit 402 that executes
software 404. The processing unit 402 may be in communication with
memory 406, I/O unit 408, and storage unit 410. The storage unit
410 may be configured to store data repositories 412a-412n
(collectively 412). The software 404 may be configured to perform a
number of different functionalities that enables the proxy server
118 to operate as an interface between the wireless communications
device and set top box and/or support communications
therebetween.
[0027] With regard to FIG. 5, the software 404 may include a number
of modules to cause the proxy server 118 (FIGS. 1 and 4) to perform
the functionality of the proxy server in terms of handling
communications between the wireless communications device and set
top box. The software 404 may include a manage set top box
relationships module 502 that is configured to manage what wireless
communications devices may have access to the set top box. In one
embodiment, a user may establish telephone numbers associated with
wireless communications devices that have access to the set top
box. Alternatively, the user may set IP network addresses of the
wireless communications devices that have access to the set top
box. A manage customers module 504 may be configured to manage set
top boxes of the customers who subscribe to the service of being
able to control a browser being executed on a set top box by a
wireless communications device. A manage browser configuration
module 506 may be configured to manage a browser configuration at
the set top box. The manage browser configuration module 506 may
further be configured to enable a user to change preferences that a
user may wish to have for the browser being executed by the set top
box. For example, the configurations or preferences may include
bandwidth limitations for downloading video via the browser. A
command management module 508 may be configured to manage commands
that a user of a wireless communications device. The command
management module 508 may, for example, enable a user to submit
requests to refresh a page, stop a page from loading, position a
curser, perform selection operations of graphical user elements
(e.g., push buttons), and any other command that may be utilized to
control a browser or website displayed within the browser.
[0028] With regard to FIG. 6, a block diagram of the wireless
communications device 104 is provided. The wireless communications
device 104 may include a processing unit 602 that executes software
604. The processing unit 602 may be in communication with a memory
606, I/O unit 608, and display 610. The software 604 may be
configured to communicate with the proxy server 118 (FIG. 1), web
portal server 120, and set top box 106. The software 604 may
further be configured to enable the user to display a browser on
the display 610 of the wireless communications device 104.
Furthermore, the software 604 may be configured to generate and
communicate commands and/or queries for communication to the set
top box.
[0029] With regard to FIG. 7, a block diagram of modules of the
software 604 is shown. A set top box browser interface module 702
may be part of a downloadable application or applet and be
configured to interface with a set top box via the wireless
communications device. The module 702 may be configured to provide
a graphical user interface to which the user may interface to view
website data on the wireless communications device so that the user
may more easily work with the wireless communications device to
control the browser being executed on the set top box. A manage set
top box key module 704 may be configured to manage a key or code
that the set top box or proxy server uses to ensure that the
wireless communications device has authorization to access the set
top box. The key may be a software key that is randomly or
non-randomly generated, as understood in the art. An on/off module
706 may be configured to turn on and turn off the ability to
control or otherwise communicate with the set top box. A command
generator module 708 may be configured to generate commands that
are used to control the browser on the set top box. The commands
may be HTML, IP, or any other command that is used to control
display of information on the browser, such as IP addresses and
control of a curser or other graphical user element that operates
or otherwise interfaces with website data being displayed on the
browser generated by the set top box.
[0030] With regard to FIG. 8A, an illustration of an illustrative
wireless communications device 800 is shown. The wireless
communications device 800 includes an electronic display 802 that
is a touch-screen display. It should be understood that non
touch-screen displays may be utilized in accordance with the
principals of the present invention. On the electronic display 802,
an illustrative website is shown to include website data that
displays HTML data that is located at a network address associated
with the website in this case, the website is YouTube and a video
808 is being displayed. However, because the electronic display 802
is limited in size, the video 808 is cut off or other portions of
the web page are cut off or otherwise difficult to view. An on/off
selection element 810 may be selectable by a user to turn on or off
communications with an associated set top box.
[0031] With regard to FIG. 8B, an illustration of an illustrative
television 812 is shown to include an electronic display 814 that
is displaying the website data 804 that is the same as that shown
on the electronic display 802 of the wireless communications device
800 of FIG. 8A. Because the television has a much larger electronic
display 814 then that of the wireless communications device 800,
more of the website data may be displayed for the user. In
addition, because the browser being executed on the set top box may
be more functional then that of the wireless communications device,
more functionality on websites that could otherwise not be handled
by the browser on a wireless communications device 800 may be
available to the user. As shown, the video 808 may be fully
displayed on the television via the set top box. Furthermore, a
quality of service (QoS) may be established such that the videos
and other content being distributed from the Internet to the set
top box may be communicated at real time or substantially real
time. A wireless control on/off selection element 816 may be
displayed and be selectable by the user or, alternatively, the
on/off wireless control element may simply indicate that the set
top box is or is not being remotely controlled from a wireless
communications device. A cursor or other pointing graphical user
element 818 may be controlled by the wireless communications device
by the user pressing a hard or soft button, dragging his or her
finger across a touch screen, or otherwise.
[0032] With regard to FIG. 9, a flow chart 900 of an illustrative
process for enabling a wireless communications device to operate a
browser on a set top box is provided. At step 902, a browser
configured to display website data may be operated on a set top
box. The browser may be a conventional browser or one configured
specifically for operation on a set top box that is remotely
controlled by a wireless communications device. Rather than being
controlled locally, the browser may be configured to receive
commands from a remote wireless communications device. In another
embodiment, the set top box may be configured to enable a user to
locally control the browser in addition to the browser being able
to be controlled by the wireless communications device. At step
904, commands may be received from a wireless communications device
at the set top box via a communications network. The commands may
include a network address of a website. In addition, the commands
may be commands to control one or more graphical user interface
elements, such as a curser or other pointing element. The wireless
communications device may issue commands or queries to control
operation of the browser and include website addresses that a user
wishes to display on the browser. At step 906, website data may be
displayed on a television to which the set top box is in
communication in response to receiving the commands. The wireless
communications device may simultaneously display the website data.
Alternatively, the wireless communications device may simply be a
conduit to which the user enters commands to control the website
being displayed on the browser from the set, top box. In other
words, the wireless communications device may provide a user
interface as a blank or non-blank screen that can assist the user
in controlling the browser operating on the set top box in
substantially real time. For example, the user interface may
provide for controlling a cursor or other pointing graphical user
element or enter alphanumeric text, such as a website address.
[0033] The previous detailed description is of a small number of
embodiments for implementing the invention and is not intended to
be limiting in scope. One of skill in this art will immediately
envisage the methods and variations used to implement this
invention in other areas than those described in detail. The
following claims set forth a number of the embodiments of the
invention disclosed with greater particularity.
* * * * *